Foote Family/Eva

(this page may be moved in the future if it gets too large)

Prologue

The Maiden, the Madman, and the Widow

The sunlight shone upon the small garden of my family estate. I was busy watering the flowers around the small fruit tree at the center of the clearing. The sound of the devout at the nearby temple to the Veiled Goddess gently filled the air. My mother was not too pleased with my decision to join the army of the Sacred Obia'Syela. She would have been furious if she found out that I did so after my grandfather's encouragement. I could hear my mom's voice now, "don't listen to that old man," she would say, "you know he is not right in the head." My grandfather was definitely not of sound mind but he can be very convincing.

Eva brushed her long brown hair out of her face with one hand and a picked single fruit from the tree. Her grandfather, Peterson, loved the fruit in the evenings. She never knew the name of it and anytime she asked her grandfather he would start talking in some strange tongue. Eva walked inside the manor and into the library. There her grandfather was sitting behind a large wooden desk writing intensely. The old man had long unkempt hair and a large beard. On his face were a few tattoos that were faded and of unknown origin. Eva spoke gently, "here you go grandfather." He quickly looked up from the page and happily took the crimson fruit without saying anything. Eva took a look at the page but could not make sense of what he was writing. Her mother, Jessica, always said that it was the writings of a mad man and it didn't have any meaning. Eva broke the silence, "I will write when I get the chance." Peterson looked at Eva and quickly spoke, "yes, yes,yes...OH!" The old man almost jumped out of his chair. Eva was startled and by the sudden outburst. Peterson took a dagger from off the floor next to him and handed it to Eva. "This dagger," he bellowed, "was given to me many years ago and now it is yours." Eva was speechless and looked at the dagger. The sheath was of a crimson color and the handle was some type of goldish metal. It had some engravings on it but she could not tell what they meant. "Oh, thank you," she exclaimed, "I will always carry it." The old man smiled and said, "well off with you! Your destiny awaits." Eva smiled saying goodbye and headed out of the library.

I looked at my mother who stood near the front door of the manor. Her face expressed anger but her eyes showed a look of worrisome despair. I knew I could not convince her that everything would be alright. There were no words of comfort for a mother who knew that death could soon befall her only child. "I suppose this is farewell," I said softly. Mother looked at me and shook her head. "Why in Obeah's name are you doing this stupid thing?" she asked. Still she could not understand that I needed to go out and fight for my realm, it is a family tradition after all. "It is my duty to serve Obia'Syela," I answered, "to the best of my abilities and I think I will make a fine commander!" My mother's face contorted into confusion. "What are you talking about," mother said, "the family is that of merchants and bankers!" I felt hot and spoke without a thought, "that isn't what grandfather said!" My mother's jaw dropped and she spoke in a rage, "that old insane drunkard!" He is behind this? Oh I should have known his delusions were behind this. That old man has never fought and neither did your father! In Obeah's name Eva, you're only seventeen!" My heart sank, I knew I shouldn't tell her about his stories. "Goodbye mother," I let out with a sigh, "I'll write to you as soon as possible." Mother stormed off without saying goodbye. Perhaps she was right, maybe these were the fairy tales of a madman. I guess it doesn't matter though, it is too late to turn back now.

The Dame and the Brute

....Eva walked down the cobblestone road towards the barracks in the temple district of Rines. The city of Moonlight was covered in a thick blanket of clouds. Not a single beam of sunlight peared through the dense cover. The early morning rain dripped from the sky and onto the bustling streets. The air was stiff and a morose scent seemed to linger around the buildings. The cacophony of the peasants working their craft rang through the district, not a single distinct sound could be heard. Eva looked at the open field beside the wooden barracks. There was a group of archers taking shots at targets. The sound of the peasants faded into oblivion as the bowstrings were released and the arrows slammed into the wooden targets.

....Eva entered the training grounds as the rain continued to fall onto her crimson hair. She approached the new captain of the Foote Guard for the first time. Her steps grew slower, sinking into the muddy ground ever so slightly. She looked at the tall man as he roared at the archers. The young dame's heart raced and with every step her pace slowed. As the captains broad figure grew larger, Eva felt a jolt running through every nerve in her body. A weight of a thousand stones were shackled upon her back.
...."Captain Erich," softly came from Eva's small rosey red lips. Her words fell upon no ears and her chest swelled as she drew in a deep breath. "Captain Erich," Eva spoke in a faux firmness as her words finally reached the man's ears standing before her.
....Erich turned around, revealing his scowling face. The immense amber beard helped cover a broad jaw. His large nose, disfigured by a fist or two from the past, sat between his dark chestnut eyes. The thick brown eyebrows moved up away from his eyes as they looked down the young dame's body. A look at the dark leather blouse baring the sigil of House Foote sewn into the arms. "Well," his voice boomed, "get on wit' it!"
....The deep thunderous voice jolted Eva before she cleared her throat. "I am," she started to look away from the looming figure, "Eva Foote. I am..."
...."Obeah's sake," Erich interrupted, "drop the formalities 'n' get on wit' it!"
....Eva's eyes peered up from the ground at the captain of the guard. "I am your commander."
....Erich smiled upon hearing the words. His hand rose and the backs of his fingers brushed her cheek. "Sucha pretty lass, the battlefiel' is no place fo' ya."
....Eva's jaw tightened and her eyebrows furled as her head moved away from the rough hand. "Do not touch me," she protested before a short pause, "and it is 'my lady' to you."
....Erich chucked, "as ya wish."
....Eva felt her blood boil, "your pay is to be docked, such is the price for disrespect."
...."Respect fo' what?" Erich roared as he took a step towards the young dame, "the only blood ya spilt has be'n from 'tween ya legs.
....Eva's heart and soul sank into the ground as Erich towered over her. She searched for words but could not find them and her hands shook slightly at her sides.
....Erich looked into the young dame's olive green eyes and his tone softed slightly, "ya have cammand of me and my men due to gold. Not respect." Erich took a step back and turned back towards the archers who were looking at the two. "Ya plan on shootin' us with arrows?" Erich barked, "Fo'ward face!"
....The archers turned back towards the target and Eva watched as the orders were given. Her thoughts raced and her doubts soared as the sound of the bowstrings rang out once again.

Chapter 1: Early Morning Rain

(set stage based on previous)

Leaving Rines

Arrival in Rii

The Dagger

The First Battle of Ardmore

After the Battle

The Return Home

Meeting with Grandfather

Training with Erich

Advice from Augustin

Motherly Love